New AAFES shopping center offers more conveniences

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Coleman
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Bright lights, open space, racks of clothing and shelves of goods, welcomes customers to the new Army and Air Force Exchange Service main store here, a change from the dark, cramped space that seemed to require a professional stunt driver to navigate a shopping cart through before. 

The changes are many and a spacious store in a new building seems more fitting for Alaska; the new AAFES shopping center is here and it opens Feb. 20 at 10 a.m. 

After 51 years in the old location, AAFES Base Exchange has moved into a brand new building, which offers an expanded food court, and houses Military Clothing and Sales, Alterations, and GCI. There is also a space available for an Alaskan retailer to occupy.
Customers may have already noticed another perk--now the Shoppette, Care Car center, and gas station are in one centralized location. 

"We're excited and can't wait to open," said Ms. Sandra Ponton, In-house project officer and assistant manager. "It really is a great facility." 

Ms. Ponton has been in charge of the logistics side of opening the store. She coordinated merchandising crews from Fort Wainwright, Elmendorf, Japan, Guam, and a group of sales associates from Texas. 

A bonus to having all of the stores together is while a mechanic works on a customer's car, the customer can look around, shop in the stores or eat at the food court said Anna VanHoveln, AAFES general manager-Eielson/Fort Greely. There's even wireless internet in the food court for customers to use. 

"Quality of life will be better," said Mrs. VanHoveln, "because of the extreme weather in Alaska, it's more convenient to have all of AAFES stores under one roof." 

The shopping center took approximately six years from the planning stages to complete. The sales floor alone has added 68,462 square feet and while that number may be considered impressive it isn't the only reason there is more space for goods. 

"Because of the lower ceilings in the old store, the shelves weren't standard AAFES shelf size," said Mrs. VanHoveln. "With higher ceilings, we can have taller shelves, and with taller shelves, we're able to have a larger and broader stock." 

While those with shopping carts and a buying mission may want to zip through the aisles thanks to the welcomed change of more space, they may want to take some time to see the new things Eielson shopping center can offer. From ready-to-assemble furniture to a small selection of large appliances such as washers and dryers, and a selection of baby furniture and accessories, this base's addition will have it. There is even a PowerZone island, a first in Alaska AAFES, which helps set the tone of the stores' super center atmosphere. 

"Currently the closest store most similar to the new center is over 25 miles away from base in Fairbanks," said Mrs. Vanhoveln, "but this new facility brings a superstore feel to Eielson. It has been such a privilege to work alongside some of the most highly dedicated and loyal people and we are very excited to open."